New Zealander on the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Robert will serve on the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilties for the term 2017 – 2020. As one of 18 Committee members, he will monitor State Parties implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Robert's election to the Committee acknowledges a lifetime of advocacy on behalf of disabled people and in particular people with learning disabilities, both in New Zealand and around the world.

What is important to Robert

Robert Martin, as a person with a learning disability, will bring a lifetime of experience to the Committee. Robert lived in large institutions and foster homes during his childhood and teenage years. During many years of his adult life he was supported by disability support services.

Robert has built up sustainable leadership experience:

• working in grass roots organisations in his local community of Whanganui
• participating as a life member of People First New Zealand
• acting as third Vice-President of Inclusion International
• participating as Vice-President of Inclusion International in negotiating the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

He is deeply committed to the principle that all disabled people should experience equal rights of citizenship in the countries in which they live.

Robert believes that disabled people should have the right to live with dignity, making their own choices and decisions. He advocates strongly that disabled people have the right to be supported to make their own decisions.